U.S. 281/Loop 1604 interchange is now Easy Street

All four connectors open.

Updated 12:22 am, Sunday, December 23, 2012

Traffic from Loop 1604 East and West utilizes a newly opened connector to get on U.S. 281 southbound.

Traffic from Loop 1604 East and West utilizes a newly opened connector to get on U.S. 281 southbound.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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This is the view from a vehicle traveling on the Loop 1604 West to 281 South flyover on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. The southbound ramps just opened.

This is the view from a vehicle traveling on the Loop 1604 West to 281 South flyover on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. The southbound ramps just opened.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A sign announces the offramps to US 281 North and South from Loop 1604 West on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. The ramps just opened.

A sign announces the offramps to US 281 North and South from Loop 1604 West on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. The ramps just opened.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Traffic can be seen along the frontage road of U.S. 281 North from the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. The connector should relieve some of the traffic congestion along the intersection. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open to traffic.

Traffic can be seen along the frontage road of U.S. 281 North from the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. The connector should relieve some of the traffic

The new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector is unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open to traffic.

The new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector is unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open

Alamo Regional Mobility Authority Executive Director Terry Brechtel (right) shakes hands with Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo at the unveiling of the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Also in attendance for the unveiling were State Senator Jeff Wentworth (from left), Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open to traffic.

Alamo Regional Mobility Authority Executive Director Terry Brechtel (right) shakes hands with Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo at the unveiling of the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct

Officials look on as two vehicles drive away from a press conference at the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector unveiling on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open to traffic.

Officials look on as two vehicles drive away from a press conference at the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector unveiling on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months

Construction crews are seen on the Eastbound connector to Loop 1604 after an unveiling ceremony of the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open to traffic.

Construction crews are seen on the Eastbound connector to Loop 1604 after an unveiling ceremony of the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that

Guests leave from a ceremony that unveiled the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now been completed and ready to open to traffic.

Guests leave from a ceremony that unveiled the new U.S. 281 North to Loop 1604 East and West Direct Connector on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. Construction that began 18 months ago to join the two highways has now

The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, which oversaw construction of the $131 million project, paid for by a mix of federal stimulus funds and state dollars, announced this week that construction on the 1604 East and West ramps to 281 South was finished Friday, ahead of the Feb.7 deadline.

The entrance ramp from Stone Oak to Loop 1604 was opened Saturday, after months of detours and heavy traffic in the area because of construction at the interchange.

Alloway said planners realized weeks ago that an early opening was a possibility.

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“But with the wind and cold weather and other things that can cause problems, we didn't want to publicize it and be in a position where we over-promised the public and under-delivered.

A little more than 24 hours after the opening, Jacob Theesfeld, general manager of Bill Miller's BBQ at 1604 and 281, wasn't ready to praise the changes, but seemed pleased with them.

“It's getting better. Congestion is a lot less than what it used to be,” he said. “But they just opened yesterday and it's still a little early to tell how it will affect business.”

By 5:30 p.m., Don Haynes, general manager of Alamo Toyota at the busy crossing said he had a showroom full of people and had serviced nearly double the number of cars typical for a Saturday.

“Traffic is flowing extremely well,” he said. “There are no cars piled up in front of us on 281 anymore.”

Haynes had said in earlier stories that the construction caused business to dip about 30 percent after the project started in March 2011.

“But if this is any indication, we're looking for a really good year next year,” he said.

Alloway said the free-flowing lanes could take some getting used to and that some drivers are likely avoiding the historically congested area.

“Part of that is so folks can get used to the new connectors, and partly it's recognition that it's the holidays, and the last thing people want is to get stuck in construction,” he said. “So we're giving everyone a break for about a week, giving our crews time to spend with family.”

While there still are some projects to complete in the area, the 1604-281 interchange was the largest. Alloway said drivers can expect work to resume after the holidays and continue through the end of May.